UPDATE 6.21pm: Claims that the AM for Monmouth was drunk at a debate about mental health have reportedly been denied by politician.

Nick Ramsay has denied that he was drunk at the debate on Tuesday, reports said last night.

Jonathan Williams, the Cardiff man who raised the complaint with Rosemary Butler, said the response to his letter “has been exactly as I expected. No one will take this matter seriously because politics is a cosy club.

“All they are interested in is protecting their collective reputations. It's mucky and makes me wonder why I bothered writing in the first place.”

UPDATE 1.46pm: A Welsh Tory spokesman has stated that Nick Ramsay was making valid contributions to the debate where a member of the public has claimed that the Monmouth Tory AM appeared drunk.

In a statement the spokesman said: "Nick Ramsay was making valid contributions in an important debate on mental health.

"He agrees that all correspondence from the public should be treated with the utmost importance – and will speak to the Presiding Officer accordingly."

UPDATE 1.22pm: Assembly presiding officers are set to investigate the circumstances around a complaint that claimed that Nick Ramsay was drunk during an Assembly debate.

An Assembly spokesman has confirmed that Newport West AM and Assembly presiding officer Rosemary Butler has recieved a complaint relating to the behaviour of the Monmouth AM.

He said: “The Presiding Officer has received a letter of complaint relating to the behaviour of an individual Assembly Member in the Plenary session on 10 June.

“Regulation of Plenary proceedings is a matter for the Presiding Officers. They will be looking into the circumstances thoroughly and properly over the coming days.

“The rules of debate are governed by Standing Order 13 and the Assembly Members’ Code of Conduct sets out the standard of behaviour expected from Members during Assembly business. Members must at all times in their conduct promote respect for the Assembly and extend respect and courtesy to other Members.”

12.49pm: A MEMBER of the public has complained to the Assembly's presiding officer that the Tory AM for Monmouth appeared to be drunk during a debate on mental health on Tuesday.

The complaint alleges that Nick Ramsay’s “contributions were slurred, incoherent and insolent” on more than one occasion.

Plaid Cymru says it expects the matter to be fully investigated.

In an email written to the presiding officer Rosemary Butler the member of the public claimed: “The Assembly member for Monmouth is in a privileged position to serve his constituents, but to appear in the chamber unsteady on his feet and clearly drunk is unforgivable.”

Mr Ramsay had made interventions during a debate on mental health during a speech by the health minister Mark Drakeford.

A worker in Cardiff AM Julie Morgan’s office confirmed reports that the complaint about Mr Ramsay had reached her office and was passed on to the presiding officer by the AM.

The worker was keen to stress that Ms Morgan has herself not made a complaint and passing it on was a formality.

A Plaid spokeswoman said: “Any complaint by a member of the public about the conduct of Assembly Members should be taken seriously, and we expect the presiding officer to investigate this matter fully.”

The Argus has made requests for a response from Nick Ramsay, the Welsh Conservatives and the Assembly this morning but as yet has received no reply.

You can watch Mr Ramsay’s contributions to the debate in this video – Mr Ramsay’s contributions start at around seven minutes 20 seconds in.

I do now see that the words "this video" appear in blue type, as opposed to the standard "black type", used elsewhere. However, in the quite normal lighting conditions, in which I am reading the screen, and with my not perfect, but not terribly bad either, eyesight, the contrast between these just two words' type, and the rest of the article's type, is really not sufficiently great to stand out and be obvious.

.

[quote][p][bold]Ian (Mac) MacKinlay[/bold] wrote:
.
Last paragraph:
"You can watch Mr Ramsay’s contributions to the debate in the video below – Mr Ramsay’s contributions start at around seven minutes 20 seconds in. "
Oh yes?
Where?
.[/p][/quote].
I do now see that the words "this video" appear in blue type, as opposed to the standard "black type", used elsewhere. However, in the quite normal lighting conditions, in which I am reading the screen, and with my not perfect, but not terribly bad either, eyesight, the contrast between these just two words' type, and the rest of the article's type, is really not sufficiently great to stand out and be obvious.
.Ian (Mac) MacKinlay

Rosemary Butler has said on each previous "drunk" occasion, "there is NOT a drinking culture at the Assembly"...

They just appear to off their faces most of the time or sleeping it off behind the pillars!

Which explains a lot!

Rosemary Butler has said on each previous "drunk" occasion, "there is NOT a drinking culture at the Assembly"...
They just appear to off their faces most of the time or sleeping it off behind the pillars!
Which explains a lot!KarloMarko

I have now watched this video, and it is far from obvious to me that Nick Ramsey is as described.

"First paragraph":

"A MEMBER of the public has complained to the Assembly's presiding officer that the AM for Monmouth appeared to be drunk during a debate on mental health on Tuesday. "

What is the name of this "member of the public"?

Who is this person?

Who is the accuser?

Do you not think, Argus, that who is making the assertion referred to is an important part of the reporting?

It looks to me as though an AM has attempted to draw attention to certain facts that Mark Drakeford finds rather embarrassing and awkward to answer.

My impression is that the unknown member of the public is either straightforwardly wrong, or is at best is nitpicking.

The foregoing gives two aspects of my opinions on the matter.

I look forward to seeing those of others.

.

.
I have now watched this video, and it is far from obvious to me that Nick Ramsey is as described.
"First paragraph":
"A MEMBER of the public has complained to the Assembly's presiding officer that the AM for Monmouth appeared to be drunk during a debate on mental health on Tuesday. "
What is the name of this "member of the public"?
Who is this person?
Who is the accuser?
Do you not think, Argus, that who is making the assertion referred to is an important part of the reporting?
It looks to me as though an AM has attempted to draw attention to certain facts that Mark Drakeford finds rather embarrassing and awkward to answer.
My impression is that the unknown member of the public is either straightforwardly wrong, or is at best is nitpicking.
The foregoing gives two aspects of my opinions on the matter.
I look forward to seeing those of others.
.Ian (Mac) MacKinlay

He has form...too "wasted" previously to chair a morning scrutiny committee he was supposed (and very well paid) to be in charge of.

Mind you, the terminal boredom of that Welsh "brickworks" would turn anyone to the vodka pump.

He has form...too "wasted" previously to chair a morning scrutiny committee he was supposed (and very well paid) to be in charge of.
Mind you, the terminal boredom of that Welsh "brickworks" would turn anyone to the vodka pump.KarloMarko

"When asked if there was a drinking
culture among AMs, Ms Butler
added: "Certainly not. We don't
have a bar here."

"If we have receptions here at
lunchtime we don't encourage
people to have alcohol. What
people do after work is entirely a
matter for them, but I'm certainly
not prepared to say there is a
drinking culture."

Or it appears, even before "work"!

It's the way she tells em'. No wonder she wants another 40 AMs...to hold. each other up at lunchtime!

BBC May 2012...
"When asked if there was a drinking
culture among AMs, Ms Butler
added: "Certainly not. We don't
have a bar here."
"If we have receptions here at
lunchtime we don't encourage
people to have alcohol. What
people do after work is entirely a
matter for them, but I'm certainly
not prepared to say there is a
drinking culture."
Or it appears, even before "work"!
It's the way she tells em'. No wonder she wants another 40 AMs...to hold. each other up at lunchtime!KarloMarko

scraptheWAG wrote:
does anyone care the assembly is a non entity with no purpose anyway

Well anonymous member of public does though I agree with its being a useless organism. Nancy Lady Astor being dead I note the glee with which Karl Marx Brother jumped on the item, giving him a nice little bit of character assassination, and assume the complainant is one of the usual Trots.

[quote][p][bold]scraptheWAG[/bold] wrote:
does anyone care the assembly is a non entity with no purpose anyway[/p][/quote]Well anonymous member of public does though I agree with its being a useless organism. Nancy Lady Astor being dead I note the glee with which Karl Marx Brother jumped on the item, giving him a nice little bit of character assassination, and assume the complainant is one of the usual Trots.Dai Rear

Hey, just wait until UKIP get a few of their "overtired and emotional" AMs! Everyday in the chamber will be like a Munich beer cellar... with politics to match.

Careful what you wish for Rosemary.

Hey, just wait until UKIP get a few of their "overtired and emotional" AMs! Everyday in the chamber will be like a Munich beer cellar... with politics to match.
Careful what you wish for Rosemary.KarloMarko

"The complaint alleges that Nick Ramsay’s “contributions were slurred, incoherent and insolent” on more than one occasion."

Must admit, just sounds normal for a mainstream politician - whether drunk or sober!

"The complaint alleges that Nick Ramsay’s “contributions were slurred, incoherent and insolent” on more than one occasion."
Must admit, just sounds normal for a mainstream politician - whether drunk or sober!Katie Re-Registered

I have now watched this video, and it is far from obvious to me that Nick Ramsey is as described.

&quot;First paragraph":

"A MEMBER of the public has complained to the Assembly's presiding officer that the AM for Monmouth appeared to be drunk during a debate on mental health on Tuesday. "

What is the name of this "member of the public"?

Who is this person?

Who is the accuser?

Do you not think, Argus, that who is making the assertion referred to is an important part of the reporting?

It looks to me as though an AM has attempted to draw attention to certain facts that Mark Drakeford finds rather embarrassing and awkward to answer.

My impression is that the unknown member of the public is either straightforwardly wrong, or is at best is nitpicking.

The foregoing gives two aspects of my opinions on the matter.

I look forward to seeing those of others.

.

I wish people would read articles in their entirety, it clearly states...

'Jonathan Williams, the Cardiff man who raised the complaint with Rosemary Butler'

[quote][p][bold]Ian (Mac) MacKinlay[/bold] wrote:
.
I have now watched this video, and it is far from obvious to me that Nick Ramsey is as described.
"First paragraph":
"A MEMBER of the public has complained to the Assembly's presiding officer that the AM for Monmouth appeared to be drunk during a debate on mental health on Tuesday. "
What is the name of this "member of the public"?
Who is this person?
Who is the accuser?
Do you not think, Argus, that who is making the assertion referred to is an important part of the reporting?
It looks to me as though an AM has attempted to draw attention to certain facts that Mark Drakeford finds rather embarrassing and awkward to answer.
My impression is that the unknown member of the public is either straightforwardly wrong, or is at best is nitpicking.
The foregoing gives two aspects of my opinions on the matter.
I look forward to seeing those of others.
.[/p][/quote]I wish people would read articles in their entirety, it clearly states...
'Jonathan Williams, the Cardiff man who raised the complaint with Rosemary Butler'Evil Flanker

I have now watched this video, and it is far from obvious to me that Nick Ramsey is as described.

&quot;First paragraph":

"A MEMBER of the public has complained to the Assembly's presiding officer that the AM for Monmouth appeared to be drunk during a debate on mental health on Tuesday. "

What is the name of this "member of the public"?

Who is this person?

Who is the accuser?

Do you not think, Argus, that who is making the assertion referred to is an important part of the reporting?

It looks to me as though an AM has attempted to draw attention to certain facts that Mark Drakeford finds rather embarrassing and awkward to answer.

My impression is that the unknown member of the public is either straightforwardly wrong, or is at best is nitpicking.

The foregoing gives two aspects of my opinions on the matter.

I look forward to seeing those of others.

.

I wish people would read articles in their entirety, it clearly states...

'Jonathan Williams, the Cardiff man who raised the complaint with Rosemary Butler'

It did by the time you read it sunshine, but SOME of us read it BEFORE 6.21 pm last night. The word "update" might have given you a clue.....

[quote][p][bold]Evil Flanker[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Ian (Mac) MacKinlay[/bold] wrote:
.
I have now watched this video, and it is far from obvious to me that Nick Ramsey is as described.
"First paragraph":
"A MEMBER of the public has complained to the Assembly's presiding officer that the AM for Monmouth appeared to be drunk during a debate on mental health on Tuesday. "
What is the name of this "member of the public"?
Who is this person?
Who is the accuser?
Do you not think, Argus, that who is making the assertion referred to is an important part of the reporting?
It looks to me as though an AM has attempted to draw attention to certain facts that Mark Drakeford finds rather embarrassing and awkward to answer.
My impression is that the unknown member of the public is either straightforwardly wrong, or is at best is nitpicking.
The foregoing gives two aspects of my opinions on the matter.
I look forward to seeing those of others.
.[/p][/quote]I wish people would read articles in their entirety, it clearly states...
'Jonathan Williams, the Cardiff man who raised the complaint with Rosemary Butler'[/p][/quote]It did by the time you read it sunshine, but SOME of us read it BEFORE 6.21 pm last night. The word "update" might have given you a clue.....Dai Rear

I find it hard to believe that some of his opposition colleagues didn't "pounce"
if he was in such a state.I would also imagine that the presiding officer would have directed him to leave the chamber if he was incapable of performing his duties and adding to the debate.
Time to look at the real issues in the chamber I think ie the politics and stop looking for cheap digs and publicity.

I find it hard to believe that some of his opposition colleagues didn't "pounce"
if he was in such a state.I would also imagine that the presiding officer would have directed him to leave the chamber if he was incapable of performing his duties and adding to the debate.
Time to look at the real issues in the chamber I think ie the politics and stop looking for cheap digs and publicity.it's a longs way to Tipperary

I have now watched this video, and it is far from obvious to me that Nick Ramsey is as described.

&quot;First paragraph":

"A MEMBER of the public has complained to the Assembly's presiding officer that the AM for Monmouth appeared to be drunk during a debate on mental health on Tuesday. "

What is the name of this "member of the public"?

Who is this person?

Who is the accuser?

Do you not think, Argus, that who is making the assertion referred to is an important part of the reporting?

It looks to me as though an AM has attempted to draw attention to certain facts that Mark Drakeford finds rather embarrassing and awkward to answer.

My impression is that the unknown member of the public is either straightforwardly wrong, or is at best is nitpicking.

The foregoing gives two aspects of my opinions on the matter.

I look forward to seeing those of others.

.

I wish people would read articles in their entirety, it clearly states...

'Jonathan Williams, the Cardiff man who raised the complaint with Rosemary Butler'

.

I can understand you saying what you have said, but the explanation is that this article is continuously being updated with details, added or altered, as time progresses, and it can look as though people who commented earlier have not read the article. This is a case in point.

You will also see my comment earlier that there appeared to be no video link, even though it was mentioned in the article. In my first comment on the subject, I had copied and pasted what was in the original article, which referred to "the video below". This was then altered to "in this video" with the words "this video" then being in blue.

Being busy, at the time, I at first put this down to my imperfect sight ability and the lack of contrast between the blue and black type. I later realised this was not the case, as I had copied and pasted what was there in the original, the words "in the video below". I decided to leave the matter alone at the time, but now I need to point these things out, because otherwise the later alterations to the article simply make the earlier posters, in this case myself, look stupid.

I am not sure whether the following sentence is original or not:

"An Assembly spokesman has confirmed that Newport West AM and Assembly presiding officer Rosemary Butler has recieved a complaint relating to the behaviour of the Monmouth AM. "

Make a note of it before it too is altered.

I seem to remember " 'I' before 'E' except after 'C' when I went to school.
Perhaps they do not teach that nowadays.

.

[quote][p][bold]Evil Flanker[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Ian (Mac) MacKinlay[/bold] wrote:
.
I have now watched this video, and it is far from obvious to me that Nick Ramsey is as described.
"First paragraph":
"A MEMBER of the public has complained to the Assembly's presiding officer that the AM for Monmouth appeared to be drunk during a debate on mental health on Tuesday. "
What is the name of this "member of the public"?
Who is this person?
Who is the accuser?
Do you not think, Argus, that who is making the assertion referred to is an important part of the reporting?
It looks to me as though an AM has attempted to draw attention to certain facts that Mark Drakeford finds rather embarrassing and awkward to answer.
My impression is that the unknown member of the public is either straightforwardly wrong, or is at best is nitpicking.
The foregoing gives two aspects of my opinions on the matter.
I look forward to seeing those of others.
.[/p][/quote]I wish people would read articles in their entirety, it clearly states...
'Jonathan Williams, the Cardiff man who raised the complaint with Rosemary Butler'[/p][/quote].
I can understand you saying what you have said, but the explanation is that this article is continuously being updated with details, added or altered, as time progresses, and it can look as though people who commented earlier have not read the article. This is a case in point.
You will also see my comment earlier that there appeared to be no video link, even though it was mentioned in the article. In my first comment on the subject, I had copied and pasted what was in the original article, which referred to "the video below". This was then altered to "in this video" with the words "this video" then being in blue.
Being busy, at the time, I at first put this down to my imperfect sight ability and the lack of contrast between the blue and black type. I later realised this was not the case, as I had copied and pasted what was there in the original, the words "in the video below". I decided to leave the matter alone at the time, but now I need to point these things out, because otherwise the later alterations to the article simply make the earlier posters, in this case myself, look stupid.
I am not sure whether the following sentence is original or not:
"An Assembly spokesman has confirmed that Newport West AM and Assembly presiding officer Rosemary Butler has recieved a complaint relating to the behaviour of the Monmouth AM. "
Make a note of it before it too is altered.
I seem to remember " 'I' before 'E' except after 'C' when I went to school.
Perhaps they do not teach that nowadays.
.Ian (Mac) MacKinlay

I have now watched this video, and it is far from obvious to me that Nick Ramsey is as described.

&quot;First paragraph":

"A MEMBER of the public has complained to the Assembly's presiding officer that the AM for Monmouth appeared to be drunk during a debate on mental health on Tuesday. "

What is the name of this "member of the public"?

Who is this person?

Who is the accuser?

Do you not think, Argus, that who is making the assertion referred to is an important part of the reporting?

It looks to me as though an AM has attempted to draw attention to certain facts that Mark Drakeford finds rather embarrassing and awkward to answer.

My impression is that the unknown member of the public is either straightforwardly wrong, or is at best is nitpicking.

The foregoing gives two aspects of my opinions on the matter.

I look forward to seeing those of others.

.

I wish people would read articles in their entirety, it clearly states...

'Jonathan Williams, the Cardiff man who raised the complaint with Rosemary Butler'

It did by the time you read it sunshine, but SOME of us read it BEFORE 6.21 pm last night. The word "update" might have given you a clue.....

Thanks for the support on this point, Dai Rear.

[quote][p][bold]Dai Rear[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Evil Flanker[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Ian (Mac) MacKinlay[/bold] wrote:
.
I have now watched this video, and it is far from obvious to me that Nick Ramsey is as described.
"First paragraph":
"A MEMBER of the public has complained to the Assembly's presiding officer that the AM for Monmouth appeared to be drunk during a debate on mental health on Tuesday. "
What is the name of this "member of the public"?
Who is this person?
Who is the accuser?
Do you not think, Argus, that who is making the assertion referred to is an important part of the reporting?
It looks to me as though an AM has attempted to draw attention to certain facts that Mark Drakeford finds rather embarrassing and awkward to answer.
My impression is that the unknown member of the public is either straightforwardly wrong, or is at best is nitpicking.
The foregoing gives two aspects of my opinions on the matter.
I look forward to seeing those of others.
.[/p][/quote]I wish people would read articles in their entirety, it clearly states...
'Jonathan Williams, the Cardiff man who raised the complaint with Rosemary Butler'[/p][/quote]It did by the time you read it sunshine, but SOME of us read it BEFORE 6.21 pm last night. The word "update" might have given you a clue.....[/p][/quote]Thanks for the support on this point, Dai Rear.Ian (Mac) MacKinlay